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DIAL vs STEALTH heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, STEALTH scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. DIAL has 40 outdoor models, STEALTH has 42 outdoor models. DIAL and STEALTH have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.
DIAL and STEALTH on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, STEALTH scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • DIAL
  • STEALTH
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DIALSTEALTH

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDIALSTEALTH
Efficiency index55%median —57%median —
COP at 5°F44%median 1.8445%median 1.93
Capacity retention at 5°F58%median 72%61%median 80%
HSPF251%median 9.069%median 9.5
SEER255%median 20.561%median 18.3
EER254% (higher)median 12.545% (higher)median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F55%median 13,200 Btu/h62%median 22,765 Btu/h
Outdoor models4042
AHRI certifications50119

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDIALSTEALTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)82.5%33 models61.9%26 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)82.5%33 models52.4%22 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models2.4%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)70%28 models47.6%20 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models2.4%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate60%24 models50%21 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.
Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 7 groups where both have models
  • DIAL
  • STEALTH
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeDIALSTEALTH
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 50%8 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons4 · index 62%3 · index 69%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 72%11 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2 · index 51%10 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons24 · index 50%10 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2 tons8 · index 56%2 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 63%9 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone6 · index 52%

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeDIALCold-climate score, best modelSTEALTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons55.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 9000Z-DUC-I3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20683860986.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213433305
Ducted, 2 tons64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 24000Z-DUC-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20683861279.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 212316167
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)36000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 36000U-DUC-I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20683861379.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB6 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 212316191
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB6 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 212316192
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons79.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 9000Z-CAS-I15 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 20683861489.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC5 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 212316184
Non-ducted, 2 tons72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 24000Z-CAS-IAlso listed as SZUN24WW2307 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 20683861785.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212316170
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)36000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 36000U-CAS-IAlso listed as SZUN36WW2304 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 20683861879.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 212316177
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 212316196

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct typeDIALAll-around score, best modelSTEALTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ducted air handler 9000Z-DUC-I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20683860985.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316164
Ducted, 2 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20479330480.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316167
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20479330575.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316210
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)48000-CHP-Owith ducted air handler 48000-CHP-AHU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20702746982.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316181
Ducted, 5 tons and upNo models in this size class41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433299
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons65.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)9000-UNI-Owith ductless indoor unit 9000Z-CAS-I19 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20683861492.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316184
Non-ducted, 2 tons71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)24000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJ7 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20479330684.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316160
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons69.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJ4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20479330782.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B7 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316177
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316180

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.
Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
RatingDIALSTEALTH
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.2836000-UNI-OAlso listed as SZUN36WW230Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 113%36000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 113%ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 83% · 9.536000-UNI-ODucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 21.024000Z-03-OAlso listed as MZME24WW3P230BBJDucted, 2 tonsbeats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 84% · 12.536000Z-04-OAlso listed as MZME36WW4P230BAJNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 16.2ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 92% · 18,000 Btu/hMZME18WW2P230BAJNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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